License Cost
Licence only · upgrade to visas anytime
AED 6,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Upgrade to visas anytime
- Company name reservation
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
FREE ZONE · SHARJAH
Shams Free Zone Company Formation for Canadians
Guide for Canadian founders · around 13 hours from Toronto from Ottawa
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 10 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- Free ZoneLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 10 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 5,280Renewal cost
About Shams Free Zone
Why Shams Free Zone
On the ground, shams Free Zone is Sharjah's media free zone — creative and digital licences from AED 5,750, and it has become one of the most practical choices for entrepreneurs who want a UAE licence without a large upfront budget. As we tell every client, setting up a company in Shams Free Zone gives you 100% ownership, a UAE trade licence and the option to sponsor residence visas for yourself and your family. Canadian universities, engineering firms and agri-food exporters are well established in the UAE, which gives Canadian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Shams Free Zone licence is issued. Importantly, the most common businesses Canadians open through GoldenKey are in education, engineering, healthcare and technology, although Shams Free Zone supports almost any activity.
As we tell every client, the authority permits Free Zone Establishment (FZE) and Free Zone Company (FZCO), which covers solo business owners, partnerships and overseas groups opening a UAE branch. Shams Free Zone is located in Sharjah emirate — close to Sharjah International Airport, and the registrar's processing time for a standard file is around 3 working days. In short, canadian applicants benefit from the fact that Shams Free Zone already has many Canadian shareholders on its register, so its officers recognise Canada documents and name formats instantly.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Crucially, all prices for Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. The figures below for Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
License Plus Visa Quota
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 8,475
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 10,075
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 11,675
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
4 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 13,275
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 4 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
5 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 14,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 5 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
6 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 16,575
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 6 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
7 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 18,075
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 7 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
8 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 19,675
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 8 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
9 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 21,275
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 9 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
License Plus Visa Quota
10 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 22,875
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 10 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 2,420
Annual renewalAED 5,280
Bank account assistanceAED 1,650
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-29.
Business activities
Explore 834 business activities in Shams Free Zone
Shams Free Zone lets you combine related activities on one licence. Search by what your business does — in English or Arabic — and quote the GK code when you ask for a quotation.
GK-SHAMS-001PrintingMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-002Printing of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals, books and brochures, music and music manuscripts, maps, atlases, posters, advertising catalogues, prospectuses and other printed advertising, postage stamps, taxation stamps, documents of title, cheMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-003Printing directly onto textiles, plastic, glass, metal, wood and ceramics (except silkscreen printing on textiles and wearing apparel)
the material printed is typically copyrighted.MediaGK-SHAMS-004Printing on labels or tags (lithographic, gravure printing, flexographic printing, other)MediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-005Multi dimensional printing servicesMediaApproval requiredGK-SHAMS-006Printing,Advertising Agencies And Event OrganizingMediaApproval requiredPopular choices · 834 activities availableAll 834 Shams Free Zone activities
Required documents
Documents required
In short, for Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians the authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Educational certificates attested by the Canada authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visaif applicable
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zonesif applicable
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a companyif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
How Shams Free Zone works with GoldenKey
- 1
Consultation and activity selection
GoldenKey starts by confirming your activity is available in Shams Free Zone, then agrees the licence category, visa quota and office option with you in writing. Nothing is submitted for Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians until you have reviewed and approved it.
- 2
Name reservation and initial approval
On the ground, your trade name is reserved with the Shams Free Zone authority and initial approval is obtained; this stage rarely takes more than two working days.
- 3
Document submission and payment
Put simply, you sign the application forms and memorandum, we submit the attested documents and the licence fee is paid to the authority. If the authority raises a query on Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians at this stage, we handle it the same day.
- 4
Licence issued and next steps
Once the Shams Free Zone licence and company documents are released, we move immediately to the immigration file, residence visas and the bank meeting.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Shams Free Zone. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsHow long does the Shams Free Zone licence take?
Crucially, once your supporting documents are complete, the authority typically issues the licence within 3 working days. Visas and bank account opening follow afterwards.
Do I need to visit the UAE to set up in Shams Free Zone?
Most Shams Free Zone licences can be issued remotely with scanned documents and a signed power of attorney. You will need to enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics when your residence visa is processed.
Is an audit required for a Shams Free Zone company?
In practice, requirements vary by zone and by company size. GoldenKey will confirm the current Shams Free Zone rule when we prepare your quotation, and we provide bookkeeping if you need accounts in any case for corporate tax.
How long does the process take for Canadian applicants?
Processing for Canadians follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Canada that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
Do Canadians need a UAE visa before applying for Shams Free Zone?
No, it does not. You can apply for the licence from Canada with scanned documents, and the investor UAE residence visa is processed afterwards.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Shams Free Zone?
From day one, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Shams Free Zone
Why the UAE
The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international customers and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians. Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians predictable.
Why GoldenKey
Day to day, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Shams Free Zone file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the submission sit. Our quotations for Shams Free Zone company formation for Canadians list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. In short, most of our Shams Free Zone clients come to us through referrals from other founders, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
